Trainer Kites & Beginner Kites for Snowkiting

Kites to Buy for Snowkiting

• Flysurfer Viron – Our most popular kite for snowkiting – Closed Cell – Land and Water

Sizes:  4m, 6m, 8m

This is one of the most versatile, highest quality, easy to use 4-line depower beginner kites on the market. Whether you are looking to learn kiteboarding or snowkiting or both, this kite is an excellent choice. The kite is a super-high quality closed cell foil that is specifically designed for new kiters. The different sizes offer a huge range of potential. If kiteboarding is your ambition, this kite is fantastic. The kite is sold with the control bar and lines. The lines can be shortened to half length for your first practice sessions, making your first flights safer with less power. The lines can be quickly lengthened to the full length when you are ready for full power. For water and snow snowkiting, this kite is one of the best tools for learning and progressing in the sport.

2 Types of Kites to Consider for Snowkiting

Option #1: Fixed Bridal Kites

These are the least expensive option. These kites are a good choice for light to medium weight riders and for anyone who just wants to “kick the tires” and explore their interest in the sport.

1. Fixed bridal kites can be flown with or without a harness. They are most often flown without a harness.
2. Fixed bridal kites large enough for snowkiting are normally 3 line, or 4 line kites.
3. These kites can make a great beginner kite for a small amount of money.
4. Almost all fixed bridle kites come complete and ready to fly. The control bar is always included with the kite. The average fixed bridal kite appropriate for snowkiting may cost between $200 to $600.
5. These kites have no ability to sheet-in or sheet-out, there is no de-power line, and the pull of the kite is all on the bar.
6. If you would like to add a harness, the additional cost would be between $170 to $250.

Option #2 Depower Kites

These kites are going to be more expensive. They are the real deal and may be the best option for those who are serious about learning and progressing in the sport of snowkiting.

1. 4-line (or 5-line) depower / sheetable kites are the real deal. These kites are the type of kites used for kiteboarding and snowkiting.
2. They can either be foil kites or inflatable (LEI) kites.
3. Depower / Sheetable kites will require some additional gear. For snowkiting, a complete kite package would include the kite, control bar, harness, and a leash. Each item is normally purchased separately. The only exception is with foil kites. With foil kites, sometimes the control bar is included with the kite and other times it is not.
4. Some kites use a universal control bar. This means your initial investment is higher, but when you buy your next kite you may only have to purchase the kite. The same control bar will be used with both kites.
5. Depower kites allow the rider to sheet in and sheet out. Similar to windsurfing or sailing, pulling the bar in increases power and letting the bar out decreases the power of the kite. With a depower (sheet-able) kite there is little to no pull on the bar. The power and pull of the kite is transferred to your harness. The center lines pass through the center of the control bar and are attached to your harness by a mechanical device called a chicken loop.
6. The average entry level snowkiting package (kite, control bar, harness, and leash) costs between $900 to $1,800+. The brand, type of kite, and kites size will have the biggest impact on the cost.
7. De-power kites over 5 square meters are best for snow-kiting.
8. De-power kites are the safest and smoothest flying kites.

Understanding Kite Size

The above chart provides a general perspective of how kite sizes may be categorized for the average person learning to snowkite in moderate winds.

• Moderate winds being 12mph to 20mph
• Average weight of 170 lbs
• Hard packed snow with less than a few inches of powder

A person's weight, personality, physical condition, skillset, wind speeds, surface type, and the environment can all play a role in the kite you choose for snowkiting.

Smaller size kites can be a great way to introduce yourself to the sport of snowkiting. For a beginner snowkiter, a person weighing 120 – 200lbs, a 3m to 6m kite may be the appropriate size to start out with given the right wind conditions and environment. We have many customers who start with a 4m to 6m kite and continue to use them even after they upgrade to a larger, more expensive kite.

Kiting lessons are always recommended before flying larger kites. Larger kites can quickly become dangerous. Always follow the instruction manual and only use a kite according to the manufacturer’s instructions and intent.